Colorado recall stifles gun effort in Congress

WASHINGTON — Gun control advocates say the recall of two Colorado legislators who backed new gun restrictions will make it harder to revive stalled efforts in Congress to tighten firearm laws.

Since the U.S. Senate narrowly rejected expanded background checks last April, gun control supporters have been hunting for the five additional votes they need.

But supporters say they have yet to win over a single new senator. They say last week’s recall of the two Colorado lawmakers — an effort backed by the National Rifle Association — will make that search harder.

Proponents of expanded checks doubt the Senate will revisit the issue until next year at best.

Top Senate Democrats say they won’t do so until they’ve found new supporters and have a strong chance of winning.